Engine Company No. 8 was organized on Sept. 15, 1869. The house provided for them was a two-story frame structure which stood on the site of their present commodious quarters on Front Street, near Bridge. For two years the members of the company made themselves as comfortable as possible in the little wooden building. Then the city erected for them a handsome four-story building and fitted it up in a. manner which made it what at that time was considered a model house for a fire-company. The house is yet, according to the statements of members of the company, one of the most comfortable in the city, and they are perfectly contented with it. The,, old building, prior to the formation of No. 8, was the quarters of Constitution NO- 7, Of the Volunteer Department, and some of old Constitution's men are now members of No. 8. The members of No. 8 are a bright, active, well-built and courageous lot of men, and they are credited with having done some excellent work at the many big fires which have claimed their attention since

ENGINE COMPANY NO. 8

Their first engine was a U tank. This was soon found to be too small for the work required of it, and it was exchanged for a Clapp & Jones steamer. Two years later this was replaced by an Amoskeag engine, one of the first introduced in the Department. At the present time they have a first-class Amoskeag, which weighs 8,100 pounds. Harry " and " Jim," two fine dapple bay horses, furnish the locomotive power when the engine is in transit to and from fires. Tom," a chestnut sorrel, seventeen hands high, rattles the two-wheeled hose-cart along with surprising speed.

The first big fire to which the company was called was at Conklin's lumber yard,
which covered nearly the entire block bounded by Pearl, Plymouth and John Streets.
The loss was over $200,000. On May 10, 1872, the company worked twenty hours on
a fire at the sugar refinery, foot of Gold Street. The loss was $300,000.
mer of 1875, they did some excellent work at Baxter's paint works on Jay Street.
Among the other large fires at which No. 8 rendered valuable services, were those at the
Averill Paint Works, on Water Street on Dec. 6, 1872; at ex-Alderman Ruggles's wall-
paper and button factory, on Oct. 21, 1884; in the Equipment Department at the Navy
Yard, on Jan. 6, 1888; at the carpet works at Front and Washington Streets on Jan. 6,
1883; at Campbell & Thayer's linseed oil factory on Pearl Street, on May 13, 1877; at
Harbeck's stores, Nov. 13, 1884, at Haverneyer's sugar refinery in 1882 ; at Pond's
Extract factory; at the Brooklyn Oil Refinery ; at the Gowanus Oil Works and E. B.
Bartlett's Central grain elevator, Nov. 13, 1888. The damages at these fires ranged
from $100,000 to $800,000 One of the worst fires with which the company had to
contend was in the Arbuckle Coffee and Spice Mills at the foot of Adams Street in 1883-
For eighteen hours they battled with the flames. It was a stubborn fire, and the fight
was against the brave men, who never left their post until the building was burned to
the ground. In their work at this fire several of the men had their hands badly cut by
falling glass. The damage to the building and stock was estimated at $200,000. A
paper box factory which stood on the same site had been burned in 1881. The company also did some excellent work at the fire at the Pierrepont stores, on Sunday, Jan.
26, 1890, when the full-rigged iron ship " Pythomene," laden 'with jute butts and
linseed meal, was totally destroyed. On that occasion several firemen came very near to
being suffocated.

From the date of its organization until July 18, 1892, a period of almost twentythree years, the Foreman of No. 8, was JAMES WALSH. The proper place for a sketch of his life is now among the District Engineers, and his services will be found chronicled as the responsible chief of the newly created Tenth District, of which he was placed in command when he was promoted on the above date. But the history of No. 8 would be incomplete indeed without mention here of the long service as its Captain of District Engineer James Walsh.

Assistant Foreman JOHN McCOLE Pending the appointment of a successor to Foreman Walsh, the command of the company devolved on Assistant Foreman JOHN McCOLE, who was born in Ireland on March 7, 1837. He is married, and is the father of eleven children, four of whom are living. He lives at No. 113 Jay Street. As a member of the Volunteer Department, he had some thrilling experiences while attached to Constitution Engine NO. 7. He is a retiring man, and dislikes to talk about himself, even to his most intimate friends. Although he never has been injured in the discharge of his duty, it has been through good luck, for he has many times been in perilous positions while doing his part toward saving valuable property. He severed his connection with the Volunteer Department Oil Sept. 15, 1869, when he received his appointment to the Paid Department and was .assigned to duty with Engine No. 8. His valuable services as an ordinary fireman, and strict attention to duty led to his promotion to the grade of Assistant Foreman on March 1, 1887.

Engineer FRANCIS J. QUAL, JR. ., was born in this city, on Aug. 25, 1884, and was appointed to the uniformed force on Dec. 3, 1888. He was promoted to the grade of engineer on Feb. 16, 1891, and assigned to his present position. He is a very able, careful man in the discharge of his duty, and is highly esteemed by his superior officers

Driver BARTLEY GUNNING sits on the driver's seat of Engine No. 8 and guides the horses "Harry" and " J im." He was born in Ireland, on May 10, 1846, and was appointed to the force on Sept. 15, 1869..

WILLIAM E. DOLAN was born in this city, on Feb. 27, 1861, and received his appointment to the uniformed force on Feb. 27, 1885. He distinguished himself about two years ago, at York and Jay Streets, when by his promptness and coolness he saved Lung Foo,.a Chinese laundryman, from being killed by a live electric wire, which in its fall bad struck the Chinaman and knocked him down. Mr. Dolan never speaks of the affair, but his comrades take pleasure in praising him for the brave act. He is at present detailed as a lineman at Fire Department Headquarters

SAMUEL BURNS was born in Brooklyn, an Nov.7, 1845, and was appointed a fireman and assigned to Engine No. 8 on Sept. 15, 1869. At present he is detailed at Fire Headquarters as a telegraph operator

JOSEPH G. GREEN was born in New York City, on March 14, 1840, and was appointed to the force Aug. 15, 1870, and assigned to duty with Engine No. 8, in the capacity of engineer. He is at present detailed at the Repair-shops.

ALEXIS R. LAVIGNE was born in Lowell, Mass., on NOV. 2, 1857, and became a member of the Fire Department on Sept. 17, 1883. He is detailed at present as lineman at Fire Headquarters.

WILLIAM SCHIEBEL was born in this city, on Oct. 27, 1868, and was appointed a fireman oil Nov. 16, 1891..

THOMAS P. CONNOLLY was born in England on Dec. 26, 1853, and entered upon his career as a fireman Feb. 1, 1887. Prior to becoming a member of Engine No. 8, lie did duty with Engine Company No. 5.

JAMES BRIDGES was born in this city, on NOV. 26, 1870. He is a fine stalwart young fireman, and his ambition undoubtedly will receive its reward in due time. He was appointed Nov. 15, 1891.

JOHN GILLEN is a native of Brooklyn and was born on Jan. 17, 1855. He entered upon the career of a fireman on May 1, 1881, and has done duty faithfully since lie first stepped into his present position

JAMES H. QUINN also was born in this city, his natal day being Oct. 27, 1864. lie became a fireman on May 20, 1889.

JOHN VIRTUE hails from Boston, Mass., in which city he was born on April 7, 1856. It was on June 19, 1882, that his name was enrolled on the blotter of Engine Company No. 8. He is a thoroughly efficient fireman.

This completes the roll of membership of Engine Company No. 8. They are, all, in all, a fine body of men, and their standing in the Department as a company is A I. They have done good work and are ready to do more, no matter how perilous it may be, whenever the big gong in the engine-house summons them to battle with the flames.

Among the large buildings within the district covered by Engine Company No. 8 & on a first-alarm are those of Boerum & Pease, manufacturers of fine stationery and blank books; the Brass Rolling Mills; Campbell & Thayer's paint works; the Empire Storage Company; the Consolidated White Lead Works; Arbuckle Coffee and Spice Mills;, Robert Gavi's paper box factory, and the Navy Yard buildings